Improvement in umbrellas



E. J. FORBES. Umbrella.

No. 220,276. Patented Oct. 7, 1879.

UNITED' STATES PATENT onirica.

EDWIN J. FORBES, OF YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND GILBERT P. OAKLEY, OFBROOKLYN, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN UMBRELLAS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 220,276, dated October7, 1879; application filed March 3, 1879.

- ing piece, sometimes called tip-cup,77 fitted to be moved on thestick, being moved toward the ribs to inclose, and away from them toliberate. I do this, and I provide a spring-catch with a peculiarconstruction ofthe parts, Whereby, Without weakening thel structure ormaterially adding to the'labor of putting the parts together, I insurethe holding of the slide at either end of its movement.

Another part of the invention relates to an improved spring-tip. I usesuch a tip at the top to facilitate the use of the umbrella. as a cane,and allow it to be thumped roughly upon' the pavement Without jarringthe other parts. Such have been before proposed, but Without adequateguard against over-compression of the spring. I make the tip elastic,yet Well defended against all possible overstrain, providing a deniteand reliable stop to meet the end of the slide and arrest it whensufficiently forced in. I thus relieve the spring from further strain.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means ofcarrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and showthe novel features with so much of the ordinary parts as serve to showtheir relation thereto.

Figure 1 is alongitudinal section. The strong lines show theumbrella-stick and my novel attachments in the condition when thesliding piece is engaged with and holds the ribs. The dotted lines showthe condition when the sliding piece or tip-cup is drawn away from theribs to leave them free. Fig. 2 is a section of a modification. Fig. 3is a section showing a spring-tip which relieves the other parts fromthe concussion, which would otherwise act strongly to derange the otherparts when the umbrella is used as a cane.

Fig. 1a is a section through the tip alone, showing a modification ofthis part.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A is the stick. A1 is a large tube fixed thereon, and having each endformed With an lnternal ange, as shown by a. There is an annular spacebetween A and A1, in which plays a spring-catch, E, firmly fixed at oneend by a rivet, e. Its free end has a tendency outward, and is formedwith a bend, as shown at E. A hole is formed in the case A1, whichallows this bend E to be protruded through it.

G 1s the main bodyot the sliding piece, embracingA and A1. It is formedwith a cuphke-end or tip-cup, G1, adapted to' embrace and confine thetips of the ribs M when prop. erly moved into position, as will beunderstood. The main body G of the slide tits easily on the exterior ofthe tube A1. A contraction or internal flange, G2, forms a stop toprevent its being moved too far.

An enlargement, G3, receives the bend E' of the spring-catch E, andholds it firmly in posi tion whenever itis engaged With the ribs M. Thebend E should be made so rounded that it will yield on the applicationof a sucient force to move the slide in either direction; but it isproof: against all the slight forces liable to be applied by chance inthe ordinary use of the umbrella.

A rivet With a largeat head, P, and a stout short body, p, is set on thetop of the stick. The rivet-head P formsy a hard bearing-surface at theend to receive the coiled spring R, which relieves the umbrella fromshocks when used as a cane. T T2 is a movable bearingpiece formed with acollar or enlargement, T2, as shown. A2 is an inclosing-case with acontraction, a2, having the form shown. It is fixed firmly upon the topof the stick A. Through the contracted end a2 the bearingpiecc T T2 isprotruded by the force of the spring R until its collar Tz bears againstthe inner face of the contraction a2. This is its normal condition.

When the umbrella is used as a walkingstick and the tip is struck on theground, the piece T T2 strikes the ground or pavement and yields by thecompression of the spring R, so

as to form a yielding bearing, yielding until the piece T T2 rests onthe body P of the rivet. It saves the mechanism of the umbrella fromconcussion, and yet forbids the spring being too greatly compressed.

The construction gives increased durability to the umbrella,due to thelessening of the concussion on the delicate and heavily-loaded parts. Italso relieves the slide G Gl G2G3 from being displaced by suchconcussion. The yielding tip T T2 allows the slide G to be held by amore gentle spring, E, than would be otherwise practicable.

The parts should be so proportioned that the inner end of T T willstrike on the body p ofthe rivet P before the spring R can he forced orcompressed in so far as to injure the spring or involve any otherdifficulty.

The contraction a should be elongated, as shown, so as to aiord a stronglateral support to the piece T T2 as it is moved inward and outward, andto afford alarge amount of bear ing-surface without wear.

Modications may be made without sacriticing the advantages of theinvention. I can, for example, attach the stop p P on the upper end ofthe movable tip-piece T T2, so that it shall be equally central andsimilarly inclosed within the sp1-ing R and equally eflcient; but 1prefer the exact construction shown.

I claim as my improvement in umbrellas- 1. In an umbrella, the doubletube surrounding the stick A, arranged as described, to inclose andprotect the spring-catch E E', and consisting of the tubes A1 and G, thelatter provided with the cup G, enlargements G, and Harige G1,substantially as specitied.

2. The umbrella described, having a yielding tip adapted to yield by thecompression of a spring, and to return to its original condition by theexpansion of such spring, and provided with a rigid stop to prevent thespring from bein g overstrained, as herein specied.

3. The spring-tip for umbrellas described, consisting of a yieldingbearing-piece, T T2, having a collar, T2, in combination with the fixedcase A2, having the contracted end a? elongated, as shown, and with thecoiled spring R and central stop p, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day ofFebruary, 1879, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

E. J. FORBES.

Witnesses:

CHARLES C. STE'rsoN, EDWARD D. STAFFORD.

